Dear George Glazebrook,

I am still awaiting word from the Department before opening discussions with the Prime Minister and his staff on the programme for his Canadian visit. However there are one or two matters which Iwould like to discuss with you in a personal letter because they might have some bearing on the planning.

In general Ihope it will be borne in mind that we are being hosts for the first time to an African leader of a Commonwealth country. Because he is an African he is likely to be impressed by different things from those which might impress Europeans. The Africans like ceremony and they would be quick to notice it if our reception falls short of what they themselves would do for a visiting dignitary. There should, in my view, be plenty of red carpet, a good deal of sabre rattling (parade ground variety) and the wailing of sirens. There are other factors which you may wish to take into account in arranging the programme. There has emerged from the recent Conference of Independent African States a surge of African nationalism and the visit to Canada might be something which could help to adjust the perspective. Ibelieve that for the usual reasons, the opportunities open to us in performing this function are greater than those open to the United States or the United Kingdom. We are not suspect from either the standpoint of colonial imperialism or economic domination.

As to the subjects he may wish to discuss, Ican say very little at this time but Ican mention one or two things that he will not wish to discuss. Hewill not be going to Canada or the U.S. with his hat in hand asking for aid. Ghana with its large reserves does not need aid per se or by itself, but it does of course want investment capital and technical know how. Iwould expect that in view of the newspaper publicity which describes the purpose of his visit as seeking aid, he will wish to set the record straight in his first statement to the Canadian press.

According to Sir Robert Jackson he is unlikely to want to discuss the Volta River Project and if he does, it will be only in very general terms because the Volta River Project ball is in the U.S. court. Here again if he does raise the subject, it might only be to indicate that at a later date he might ask the Canadian Government to consider the question of a loan of modest proportions if conditions for starting the project become more auspicious. It is most unlikely that he will be in a position to make any concrete request since he will not have discussed the project with interested parties in the U.S.A.

There is one other matter which Iraise reluctantly because it affects me but Iam able to overcome my natural shyness. Ihave been asked by numerous officials whether Iam likely to be called home in connection with the Prime Minister's visit. This question might be inspired by the fact that Bill Flake, the United States Ambassador, will be in Washington to receive the Prime Minister there. Following his official duties in connection with the Prime Minister's visit he will proceed on leave.

Robert Jackson has been the most persistent in his enquiries as he thinks that my presence in Ottawa would be welcomed by the visitors and that it would stand me in good stead in my future relations with the Prime Minister and others here. If you think it worthwhile to raise the question with the Under-Secretary please do so. Iam quite content to leave the matter in your hands.

Marion MacPherson and Ihope in the course of the next few weeks to get off a few background reports on the current political situation here which might be of some use to your Division in preparing briefs for the Minister on the Prime Minister's visit.

This is sketchy but Ifeel you might be reassured by some of these observations and Ihope if there is any uneasiness about the Prime Minister's visit this will help to dissipate it.

Yours sincerely,
EVAN [GILL]